A resident in his 80s who tragically died in a fire at a Stevenage care home on Saturday was being visited by his partner who is now also in a critical condition in hospital, it has emerged.

The fire at Woodlands View Care Home in Stevenage broke out shortly after 4pm and was quickly put out, but seven people had to be taken to hospital.

Five people have since been discharged from Stevenage’s Lister Hospital, but the man’s partner – who is also in her 80s – remains in a stable but critical condition, a Herts County Council spokeswoman confirmed.

The council’s adult social care services are still working closely with the care home provider, HC-One, to help those affected by the fire – some of whom were moved to other care homes and some to a different area of Woodlands.

Relatives are being kept informed.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but a Herts County Council spokesman said shortly after the blaze it may have been due to an exploding gas cylinder.